Court Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku Presidential Nomination
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring its caretaker committee illegal and nullifying actions taken under its authority, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that the process through which the Mark-led committee assumed control of the opposition party was unlawful.
The court consequently invalidated decisions taken by the caretaker committee, including the presidential primary election that produced Atiku as the ADC’s flag bearer.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the legitimacy of the leadership arrangement that brought Mark and his associates into control of the ADC.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership.
He consequently asked the court to declare the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullify all actions undertaken on behalf of the party by the disputed leadership.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu found merit in Gombe’s case and declared the caretaker committee unlawful, effectively invalidating the decisions it had taken, including Atiku’s nomination.
The defendants in the suit included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The judgment represents a significant legal setback for the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following the party’s recent presidential campaign activities.
Atiku had recently participated in the ADC’s campaign flag-off in Sokoto, where the party reported a massive turnout of supporters.
The court’s decision now raises questions about the validity of the party’s leadership structure and its presidential nomination process.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has described the judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sacking the Senator David Mark-led leadership and invalidating all its actions taken by its leadership, including the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as another desperate attempt to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders in the forthcoming general elections. The party ask party members to remain calm as the court judgement will be appealed
Reacting, the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, has condemned Thursday’s court judgment that sacked Senator David Mark’s leadership of the party, describing it as a calculated attempt to weaken the ADC and frustrate his candidacy.
According to Atiku, “It came barely a day after a mammoth crowd turned out in Sokoto to welcome him and attend the launch of the ADC campaign.
Also reacting, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the party’s nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election.
Keyamo, in a post on X on Thursday, described the judgment as an affirmation that legal decisions must be determined by evidence rather than public sentiments and political reactions.
“Justice may be slow, but it is always SURE!” he wrote.
